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Power Line Distance Motion Picture Fact Sheet

Working Close to Energized Overhead Power Lines

This addendum should be used anytime work is being done near overhead power lines and in conjunction with the following Safety Bulletins:

The placement of equipment such as ladders, scaffold, booms, forklifts, aerial lifts, sets, cranes or other rigging, or any activity where any part of an employee’s body will come closer than the minimum approach distance set forth in Table 1 below shall be prohibited.

If you don’t know the voltage of a power line, stay back at least 10 metres (33 feet) contact BC Hydro at 1-877-520-1355 to verify your limit of approach.

Identifying Transmission Towers

The image to the right may help you in identifying what kind of voltage may be flowing in the wires above your head.

! ATTENTION
Alert fellow workers immediately if equipment is in danger of coming too close to power lines. Notify a supervisor or studio safety representative if something needs to be corrected.

Why so many wires?

There can be many different types of cables running between typical utility poles. But what cables are carrying what voltage? Which ones should I stay clear of? The image to the right explains what the different cables are on a utility pole.

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